EVERETT — Jim Scharf, a small-town meat-cutter’s son who climbed the ranks to become Snohomish County sheriff and Everett police chief, will retire next March.

Mayor Ray Stephanson made the announcement at an Everett City Council meeting Wednesday. He will replace the city’s top cop with Kathy Atwood, now a deputy police chief.

Stephanson said Scharf is “everything you would want in a police chief.” He described a leader whose disciplined approach to life is reflected in the way he commanded. The Everett Police Department has a $28.5 million annual budget and more than 200 commissioned officers.

“He runs a very tight ship,” Stephanson said. “Besides a tough exterior he’s got a big heart. He cares about people and causes. He tries to be a tough guy but he’s actually kind of a softy.”

Scharf, 63, graduated from Monroe High School in 1965 and was drafted into the U.S. Army. He pursued a career in law enforcement with the idea of helping others. Those values were instilled by people he met growing up in Monroe in the 1950s and 60s and during his time in the military, which included combat in Vietnam.

“Police work is the people business,” he said. “If you can’t get along with and like people then you shouldn’t be in law enforcement.”

In 1973, after earning a master’s degree in law enforcement from Washington State University, Scharf joined the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. As was the practice then, he started out working in the county jail.

He later worked as a patrol officer and quickly received several promotions to higher ranks. In 1987, at the urging of then-retiring sheriff Bob Dodge, Scharf ran for sheriff and won. He was 40.

Scharf served two terms, ever ready to push courthouse leaders for more deputies to serve the fast-growing county. He expanded the ranks of detectives investigating major crimes and crimes against children.

In 1995, he accepted a job offer from Ed Hansen, then mayor of Everett, to take over as police chief. He’s been credited with building a successful crime prevention program and boosting domestic violence training.

Bob Drewel, former Snohomish County executive, said Scharf’s longevity as both an elected official and appointee under two mayors is testament to his ability to lead and manage.

“Jim always knew that he was in a purposeful profession,” Drewel said. “He understood what it meant to take that purpose and balance out politics and reality.”

Al Shelstad spent 21 years working for the Everett Police Department. He was Everett police chief when Scharf was county sheriff.

“He was one of the best sheriffs this state has ever had,” Shelstad said.

Shelstad said Scharf played an important role in creating the Snohomish County Regional Narcotics Task Force, which Shelstad later led.

Snohomish Police Chief John Turner first met Scharf in college where they both studied law enforcement. Their paths have crossed many times since, including one period when Scharf, who lives in Marysville, served on the City Council and Turner was Marysville police chief.

“He’s a visionary,” Turner said. “He sees the big picture and he’s been really good working with smaller agencies.”

Tragedy also has been a part of the job.

Scharf was Snohomish County’s sheriff when on Aug. 15, 1994, sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Kinard was gunned down by an ex-con who had just shot a blind man near Clearview. He was Everett’s chief in 1999 when police officer Brian Dibucci fell to his death during a pursuit on the Hewitt Avenue trestle.

Controversial police shootings also came with the territory. A sheriff’s SWAT raid in 1992 ended in the shooting death of Robin Marie Pratt. The same year, a deputy shot and killed a 28-year-old mentally ill man with a history of violence toward police. The Lynnwood man was the son of Scharf’s close friend and personal secretary at the sheriff’s office.

Scharf said he always has tried to balance work, home and community and has encouraged the same of his command staff.

That often means working with nonprofit organizations, including Cocoon House, a program for homeless teens, as well as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Snohomish County.

“We in law enforcement could really become cynical because of the negative things we see on a daily basis,” he said. Working with organizations that help others “makes us a little more whole and gives us a little bit more perspective on life.”

Scharf said he is thrilled that Atwood will replace him. They will work closely together on the transition, he said. Scharf’s last day is March 31.

“She does everything for the right reasons,” he said.

Stephanson said he prefers to promote from within the city whenever possible.

“Deputy Chief Atwood is the best qualified person to be our new police chief,” he said. “She has the experience and respect to lead this department.”

Atwood will receive a $139,368 annual salary after she takes over.

Atwood was born and raised in Everett. Her grandfather and father owned and operated Solie Funeral Home.

She joined the Everett force in 1989, the final person hired by Shelstad. She spent her first six years as a patrol officer and took on special assignments on bike and harbor patrol as well as gang enforcement and undercover vice operations.

Given her upbringing, posing as a prostitute and learning to use the slang of the street trade probably was the most difficult assignment she ever had to undertake, she said.

It also proved insightful “to understand part of the tragic lifestyles these women are involved in,” she said.

Atwood, 49, rose to detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and deputy chief and has taught law enforcement classes at Everett Community College. There were stretches she would finish a night shift on the police beat at 4 a.m. and be ready to teach a class at 8 a.m. Along the way, she earned her master’s degree in public administration from Seattle University.

Atwood will become the first woman police chief in Everett.

She never considered her gender a hurdle, she said. In fact, shortly after she was hired, a training officer insisted on switching badges because hers said “policeman” and his said “police officer.”

Atwood said she has always considered herself just that: a police officer.

“I just feel like I have been surrounded by a culture of opportunity,” she said. “I don’t have that distinction of being a female police officer.”

Jim Scharf ‘s career history

1965: Graduates from Monroe High School

1966-1968: Receives honorable discharge from U.S. Army; served in Vietnam

1973: Joins the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office

1988: Sworn in as sheriff; wins second term in 1991.

1994: Endures the loss of Sgt. Jim Kinard who was killed by a gunman in Clearview

1995: Accepts job offer from Mayor Ed Hansen to become Everett police chief

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com